The Head of State first attended the opening ceremony of the secondary school №322 located in the Albalylyg residential area in the Buzovna settlement, Azizbayov district.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the red ribbon symbolizing the opening of the school, which has been constructed for nearly 9 months. The President inspected the computer class, gym and canteen. The 1296-seat school employs some 70 teachers. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation donated 16 computers to the school. It has a water reservoir, pump, transformer station and a boiler house.

The foundation stone of a school was laid in December 2006 at the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The people appealed to M. Aliyeva because it was difficult for 3 thousand children to study in the 1176-seat school. The school has been constructed under the program of actions to speed up socio-economic development of Baku settlements in 2006-2007.

The President has today also attended opening ceremonies of new schools constructed in Shuvalan and Binagadi settlements.

He hailed construction of the new schools, saying the government attaches more and more importance to the growth of education. "200 new schools were built in 2007 alone. It is a satisfactory figure", President stated. He also noted that it is planned to carry out capital repair of about 1000 schools in near future.

Congratulating the children and parents, the President said:

In the end of the last year, before new year, we have together laid the foundation stone of new beautiful school and here today have gathered for its opening. It is very joyful event, fine significant day. It testifies that the programs accepted by all of us, each decision in short term and with high quality find reflection in life. 7-8 more months back this remarkable school was not here. But today it is a reality. Children will study, and teachers work in fine conditions. The level of education will rise in Azerbaijan, our settlements and villages will be arranged well, and the level in all spheres becomes still higher and higher.

In Azerbaijan, we pay huge attention and care to the sphere of education, as it is a question of the future of our country, the nation. For this reason, the charges allocated for sphere of education every year grow. For comparison I can tell, that for last 3-4 years the budgetary charges allocated for education have increased in 3,3 times, thus, in 2007 this sum makes about 900 million AZN. It is very high figure, large means. On these means, new schools are under construction, the wages of teachers raise. Construction for last 4 years in Azerbaijan of 1200 schools is historical achievement.

There are 4500 schools in Azerbaijan, greater part of which, unfortunately, long years remained without repair. Despite of construction of 1200 schools, there is sharp necessity for construction of approximately 700 schools. In more, than 1000 schools it is necessary to carry out repair work. We shall make all this. Only in this year, 200 new schools and additional educational buildings, more than 50 schools have been repaired in Azerbaijan. It allows speaking that school construction will be intensively carried out in forthcoming years, in Azerbaijan, there will be no school with unsuitable condition. All schools will be provided with modern, beautiful and necessary equipment. Thus, we shall provide school infrastructure. At all under-construction schools, the heating system is being constructed. The heating system is being constructed at the earlier constructed schools, too.

Education is necessary for all. The level of educational in Azerbaijan, and we are very glad to it. We want, that the young generation was competent, possessed knowledge, and also was brought up in patriotic spirit. That in the future young men represented themselves, and also made contribution to the general development of our country as development of the country is measured not only by economic forces, economic forces, in turn, depends on the contribution of people to society. We have remarkable opportunities, our economic potential every year grows. In the world, there is no second such country where three years would successively be observed with so high rates of economic development. It, certainly, creates for us new opportunities, our budget grows. The overwhelming majority of these schools are constructed on the state line.

At the same time, I wish to note, that the first such initiative in Azerbaijan was made by Heydar Aliyev Foundation, under the project "To the Updating Azerbaijan - New School", which is successfully carried out. On the Foundation’s line, it is constructed about 200 new schools. That is, it is our general, nationwide business as education plays important role in strengthening of political-economical potential of each country.

The Head of Sate emphasized: “Today, it is necessary for us to bring up the prepared staff, children from early age should know about modern technologies. With this purpose, all schools will have computers. In the modern world, the computer is irreplaceable means. Each child, each young man should own it, and know foreign languages. It should know about all events occurring in the world to find himself in life. As a whole, it is possible to consider satisfactory the work done in Azerbaijan till now in this area. New programs for forthcoming years have been prepared. In 2008-2013 we shall completely solve all the listed questions - construction, repair of schools, equipment with modern devices, and improvement of quality of education. I consider, that Azerbaijan is in this respect in the forefront on the post-Soviet space. We have achieved greater successes in sphere of education, as well as in all other fields, and should strengthen them.

It was noted, that the reforms connected with the organization of education are also carried out. As you know, the academic year begins on September 15. It, too, was our initiative as in Soviet Union, in all regions - both in southern, and in northern, the school year began on September 1. Certainly, it was difficult to go to school in hot weather. Therefore, it is necessary to approach to every question separately. Equally, as well as transfer of schools to five-day educational week. It, too, has occurred under our initiative.

Very true step is also application of school uniform. In due time, we had such practice, but subsequently it was for some reason forgotten. Today, we live in conditions of market economy, and the financial position of each person depends on it. Now, there are all opportunities. The market economy, liberal economy, economic growth, that is are available all opportunities to work, earn money, to hold a good post. Thus, among people there is a various standard of living. But everyone should be equal at school. Someone has good opportunities, and buys to the child dear things. And someone cannot. Therefore, at school, there is an inequality. It is incorrect, as all children depend on parents. Here, when they will grow, will well study, will receive good education, will be provided by good work then, certainly, everyone begins to possess the opportunities. These opportunities can be displayed in any form. But in school days we cannot admit it. Therefore, at all schools the school uniform should be applied. Each school should choose parameters of this form. Thus, paying huge attention to all spheres, including education, we provide acceleration of reforms and in this area. But all reforms should lead to positive changes. All work done till now testifies to it”.

The President further said: “I have especially noted necessity of increase of the wages of workers of the budgetary organizations, including teachers. There is a huge problem before teachers. Education of the future generation, preparation for Azerbaijan the skilful staff is very important problem, and development of our country will depend on the level of knowledge. If to pay attention to practice of the developed countries, it is possible to be convinced that, probably, the primary factor, which has provided their development, was knowledge, intellectual potential, and literacy. Certainly, the countries rich with natural resources, have received extra benefit as natural resources render huge positive influence on economic power of the country. But it is not enough of it.

Just the intellectual potential of people, most of all, promotes progress, development of the country. It is available in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani people are very talented.

Representatives of our people have achieved greater successes in all areas. I very much would like, that at a present level, in present conditions, during independence of Azerbaijan, our country became even stronger, more authoritative, has strengthened its position in region and the world. Today, this process intensively goes ahead. On the one hand, economic growth, development of political processes is in a positive channel, and on another, first of all, good preparation of the professional staff. This process begins in high school and continues at the higher schools.

I would reiterate, that today I experience feeling of boundless pleasure as only several months ago, here, there was nothing except for waste ground. We together with teachers have laid the foundation of school. At that time, I promised to be present personally at opening of school. All our promises, the given words, the undertaken steps will very quickly find solution in life, and Azerbaijan will confidently go forward.

Thanks.

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Then, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva, the teachers and children were taken their photos in memory.